Many coaches return to teams with mixed results

May 30, 2008|By Brian Hamilton, Tribune reporter

If Doug Collins indeed agrees to an encore performance as Bulls coach, it would represent the first time the club has set up a return engagement, the first time an individual represented something old and something new in his marriage to the franchise's fortunes.

Still, to approach the local standard for boomerang employment, the 56-year-old Collins will need some healthy living, or major advances in the field of cryogenics. For instance, each of George Halas' four stints as Bears coach began in a different decade: the 1920s, '30s, '40s and '50s.

Of course, it helped that Halas appointed himself coach more than once, and there was also the small distraction of fighting in World War II. Collins would be in a different category, hired by someone other than the guy he sees in the mirror every morning, returning to the Bulls in 2008 after leaving them in 1989.

With coaching encores in Chicago and abroad, the comparative strengths of the first and second acts vary almost on a case-by-case basis. A sampling of history repeating itself:

Charlie Grimm, Cubs manager

First act: 1933-38; Encores: 1944-49, 1960

Not a bad run either time, actually, with 946 wins overall. Three National League pennants during the first stint ('32, '35 and '38) and then another pennant in 1945.

Johnny Evers, Cubs manager

First act: 1913; Encore: 1921

This was one double play that was hardly historic, with Evers compiling a 129-120 record between the two stints. One year with the White Sox was even less poetic: 66-87 in 1924.

Nixey Callahan, Sox manager

First act: 1904; Encore: 1912-1914

This was a limited first run (23-18 in '04) followed by a middling follow-up (226-234 in his second stint). But how can you not bring back a guy named Nixey?

Paul Richards, Sox manager

First act: 1951-54; Encore: 1976

Sometimes, 22 years can be a bridge too far. The Sox won at least 81 games and were at least eight games over .500 in each year of his first tenure. Brought back two decades later, Richards led the Sox to a miserable 64-97 campaign.

Al Lopez, Sox manager

First act: 1957-65; Encores: 1968, 1969

The Sox recorded seven finishes in the American League's top three during Lopez's first run, securing the AL pennant in 1959 with a 94-60 record. Revisiting the past wasn't quite as glorious: Lopez's Sox went 21-26 under his leadership in 1968, 8-9 in 1969.

Bob Pulford, Blackhawks coach

First act: 1977-79; Encores: 1981-82, 1984-87, 1999-2000

This is somewhat of a Halas-esque scenario, as Pulford acted as both general manager and coach more than once, even serving as, uh, semi-coach during his third stint as GM while Lorne Moelleken operated from the bench. Across seven seasons, Pulford's teams went 182-176-68.

Phil Jackson, L.A. Lakers coach

First act: 1999-2004; Encore: 2005-

Jackson returned to the Lakers less than one year after he decided to take a sabbatical, barely enough time to let the ink dry on his severance deal. But it is technically two stints, and the first resulted in three NBA titles. The second looks promising, with the Lakers winning 57 games and making the NBA Finals this season.

Billy Martin, Yankees manager

First act: 1975-78; Encores: 1979, 1983, 1985, 1988

The comeback skipper for all time, like a human tennis ball tossed against a concrete wall. Even with all the drama and self-destruction, suffice it to say this: Before he died, Martin was preparing to manage the Yankees for a sixth time in 1990.

Bobby Cox, Braves manager

First act: 1978-81; Encore: 1990-

The ultimate post-intermission performer. During his first go-round, Cox's Braves finished above .500 just once in four seasons. He returned in 1990 and Atlanta proceeded to make five World Series to date, winning one (1995). Cox has taken Atlanta to the playoffs 14 times since his return, winning the National League East each year from 1995-2005.

Joe Gibbs, Redskins coach

First act: 1981-1992; Encore: 2004-2008

Living up to his legacy was almost impossible for Gibbs. His first term produced four NFC championships and three Super Bowl victories (1982, '87, '91 seasons). His second stint was nowhere near as inspiring, though there is this: Gibbs took the Redskins to the playoffs twice in his second term, and the team had made the postseason just once during his 11-year absence.

Don Nelson, Warriors coach

First act: 1988-95; Encore: 2006-

Nelson has brought Golden State success, but not a lot of it, in both stints. He won 50 games twice in his initial run of six-plus seasons but never threatened for a league title. The Warriors won 42 games and made the second round of the playoffs in his first season back, then won 48 and missed the postseason this season.

Cotton Fitzsimmons, Suns coach

First act: 1970-72; Encores: 1988-92, 1996

Fitzsimmons went through it all with Phoenix. The Suns won 48 and 49 games in his first two seasons. They won 50 or more games in four straight years during his second stint. The third time was not a charm: An 0-8 record on the bench.

Brian Hill, Magic coach

First act: 1993-97; Encore: 2005-2007

Hill had something of a Magic touch his first go-round, amassing 191 wins during that stretch with Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal. There was no Disney ending upon his return, with Shaq-less Orlando failing to reach the .500 mark in his two seasons back.

Yogi Berra, Yankees manager

First act: 1964; Encore: 1984-85

Berra was a Yankees coach from 1976-84 before being elevated to the manager's spot for a second time. He only returned for the 1985 season after receiving assurances from George Steinbrenner that he wouldn't be fired. He was promptly dismissed 16 games into that campaign. As Yogi might say, you never know until you know.